Gympie Wesleyan Methodist Church sign goes viral

A Gympie reverend is apologetic about any offence his sign has caused, but unrepentant about the message at the centre of a social media storm.

The church sign on the Southside of Gympie that has divided the internet. Reverend Gary McClintock of the Wesleyan Methodist Church says it is sad that we live in a society that thinks that way, and the sign was only ever about bringing people to Christ.

A church sign on the Southside of Gympie proclaiming “The best way to the top is on your knees” has divided the internet after a local resident complained it was “disgusting” and “offensive”.

The message board out front of the Wesleyan Methodist Church on Exhibition Road, adjacent to the Showgrounds (where families spent the weekend attending the Gympie Show), changes its messaging every week.

The message that sat there over the Show weekend was clearly about praying, but not everyone found it spiritual and at least one person was deeply offended and couldn’t believe the church would be so “naive”.

“To think they didn’t know what they were doing is extremely naive,” they said.

“This is disgusting. It wouldn’t be allowed in any other sector and the fact this is a church makes it even more despicable.”

The person called on the church to make a public apology to the town.

Reverend Gary McClintock of the Wesleyan Methodist Church Gympie said on Tuesday “of course the sign was never intended for any double meaning” and that it was “sad” society thought that way.

“Kneeling in prayer has been a long term practice of worshippers around the world,” he said.

“I am sorry if the sign has offended anyone. The purpose is not to offend; the purpose is to call people to prayer and to consider Christ.”

Reverend McClintock said he wished the offended person had approached him first, and that they would be welcome in church Sundays at 9am.

Most of the almost 300 comments on the post asking if people found the sign offensive were made in good spirit (pun intended).

Reverend Gary McClintock and the message board at the Wesleyan Methodist Church on Tuesday.

One called the complainant a “Karen” and others said the sign gave them a “good laugh”.

There were plenty of double entendres among the comments.

“The resident needs to get a grip. Might even relieve some tension,” Neil Turley said.

“Not offensive, but surely they‘re aware of the double entendre? If not, they probably (k) need to get out more,” offered Mike JC Smith.

Hugh Kearney quoted Faye Dunaway in “some Western movie from way back”: “Lady, when I get down on my knees, it ain‘t for prayin’.”

“Knowing our current society. it was probably meant as a double entendre – they wouldn‘t admit it of course lol,’ said Les Scammell.

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Patrick Mcconville was offended someone had been offended.

“I find it awesome humour and may attend if I lived there,” said Fay Lyons.

Jean Simmonds said, “Certainly not offensive … clearly means praying … how can that be a bad thing?”

“It’s not offensive Karen. Your just offended. Get over it,” said Dagan Fisher.

Ness Mac reckoned it was “true no matter what way you take it”.

The other side of the message board read on Tuesday morning, “If life gives you more than you can stand, get on your knees”.

Reverend Gary said the sign was changed once a week.

Originally published as Gympie Wesleyan Methodist Church sign goes viral